NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

We have two goals for this article: 

1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.

2. Estimate how much of your $100 starting free-agent budget you should bid on them.

Bids in general are best guesstimates. The FAAB chart below lets users easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.

The chart, which is sortable by column (click on the header), include a very basic "player grade" column. This serves as a reflection of a player's skills and role on an A-E scale. An "A" grade is reserved for a high-impact prospect stepping into an everyday role.

If you have questions on players, I'm happy to provide my thoughts in the comments. 

STARTING PITCHER

John Gant, Cardinals: With Miles Mikolas and Kwang Hyun Kim set to open the season on the injured list, Gant has officially secured a spot in the Cardinals' rotation. The right-hander was solid as a starter in 2018, but has come out of the bullpen for each of his 81 appearances since posting a 3.43 ERA across 81.1 innings. Despite a 10.8 K/9 in 15 frames last year, Gant's overall big-league portfolio doesn't portend big strikeout numbers while control remains a concern. However, the Cardinals have been encouraged by Gant's work this spring and he could stick in the rotation with a strong start to the campaign. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $5

Elieser Hernandez, Marlins: Hernandez is slated for the No. 4 spot in Miami's rotation, sandwiched between promising pitching prospects Sixto Sanchez and Trevor Rogers. Hernandez may end up with the best season of the trio after quietly breaking through during the abbreviated 2020 campaign. Buoyed by a moderate uptick in velocity and drop in walk rate, the right-hander posted a 3.16 ERA and 1.01 WHIP along with an 11.9 K/9. It remains to be seen if those numbers can hold up over a full season, but Hernandez has looked good this spring compiling a 4.15 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB across 8.2 innings.  12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered

Adrian Morejon, Padres: Dinelson Lamet is still building up and won't be in the rotation to start the campaign, opening the door for Morejon to show what he can do as a starter. The 21-year-old has served as a swingman and compiled 27.1 innings in parts of two MLB seasons. Though his 6.26 ERA and 1.54 WHIP aren't pretty, his 3.48 xFIP is considerably more promising and he has flashed strong strikeout potential with an 11.2 K/9. Morejon has walked 10 batters in 14 innings this spring, but control has never been a major issue for him and he has also struck out 17 and posted a solid 3.21 ERA. It's not out of the question he could remain in the rotation even after Lamet returns if San Diego opts for a six-man contingent. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $4

Freddy Peralta, Brewers: Peralta has long flashed tantalizing starter potential, but his best big-league stretch came as a reliever last season when he posted a 3.08 ERA and mouth-watering 15.0 K/9 over 26.1 innings. The right-hander has worked his way back into the rotation with a strong showing this spring by registering a 23:3 K:BB across 13.2 frames. The strikeouts are almost guaranteed to be there for Peralta, so he could be a fantasy force if he's finally able to put it all together and remain in the rotation. 12-team Mixed: $9; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered

Daniel Ponce de Leon, Cardinals: As with the aforementioned Gant, Ponce de Leon will get a chance to show his stuff in the Cardinals' rotation early on due to injuries to other starters. He is similar to Gant in that he was worked as both a starter and reliever in the majors and has endured some problems with control, but Ponce de Leon offers more strikeout upside. The right-hander has registered a 10.1 K/9 over 114.1 big-league innings, including a 12.4 K/9 across 32.2 frames last season. There is hope Ponce de Leon can carry his 24:5 K:BB across his final three starts last season into 2021, though his 15:13 K:BB this spring is concerning. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $4

Joe Ross, Nationals: Ross is another back-end starter who has a chance to stick in the rotation with a strong start. He opted out of 2020 and pitched primarily in relief the previous year after functioning almost exclusively as a starter during his first four big-league seasons. The right-hander has yet to put it all together in the majors compiling a 4.29 ERA and 1.37 WHP across 335.1 innings. Ross was considerably more effective in the early part of his career, so the hope is that the year off has given him time to refresh and reset. He has looked good in spring training with an 8:2 K:BB and allowing three earned runs across 9.2 innings. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $3

RELIEF PITCHER

Daniel Bard, Rockies: Bard is one of a few closers who are rostered at around the 50 percent mark in shallow fantasy leagues, so it makes sense to grab him if he's available and you are looking for another source of saves. Scott Oberg's potential career-ending surgery has given Bard a stronger grasp on ninth-inning duties and the right-hander performed well in the role last season with six saves in six opportunities. At age 35, Bard isn't likely to suddenly ascend to the ranks of elite closers, but saves are saves no matter where they come from. 12-team Mixed: $6; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered

Anthony Bass, Marlins: Like Bard, Bass is slated to open the campaign in a ninth-inning role and can still be had in many shallow leagues. He doesn't offer typical closer stuff – Bass has never averaged a strikeout per inning over a single season – but he has racked up 12 saves in the past two years and has registered a 3.44 ERA/1.06 WHIP over the past three. The right-hander has also outperformed his closest competitors for the job (Yimi Garcia and Dylan Floro) this spring. 12-team Mixed: $6; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered

Jake McGee, Giants: McGee is a third name on the list of relievers expected to see save chances at the start of the campaign, though San Francisco is less likely to hand the closer role to any single pitcher. The southpaw was very good with the World Champion Dodgers last season by finishing with a 2.66 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 33:3 K:BB across 20.1 innings. Those kind of numbers are what closers are made of, and McGee has shown the ability to finish games in the past by picking up 40 saves between 2014 and 2016. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered

Hector Neris, Phillies: Neris and Archie Bradley are battling this spring for the closer role in Philadelphia, with Bradley currently the slight favorite for the job. That being said, Neris has kept his name in the conversation with a great spring in which he has yielded only two runs and three hits across 8.2 innings while posting a superb 12:0 K:BB. Bradley has also fared well in exhibition play, providing Philadelphia with a difficult decision as Opening Day approaches. If Neris were to win the job, he'd bring 72 saves and a career 11.4 K/9 to the role. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $8

Emilio Pagan, Padres: The Padres have three strong candidates for the closer job in Pagan, Mark Melancon and Drew Pomeranz. Melancon has the longest tenure in the role, but there are many who believe Pagan will be given first crack at saves this season. The right-hander was dominant with Tampa Bay in 2019 saving 20 games and registering a 2.31 ERA along with a 12.3 K/9. He has also looked good this spring, posting a 13:2 K:BB across eight innings. If Pagan were to win the job outright, he could emerge as one of the NL's top relievers for a Padres' team expected to win plenty of games. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: Rostered; 12-team NL: Rostered               

CATCHER

Omar Narvaez, Brewers: Few would argue if you decided to downplay stats from the unprecedented 2020 season and looked to other areas when making roster decisions for your 2021 squad. Such a decision would surely benefit a player like Narvaez, who slashed a paltry .176/.294/.269 in his first year with the Brewers last season following three consecutive campaigns of batting at least .275. Narvaez also slammed 22 home runs with Seattle in 2019, eighth among all catchers. He looks to be on the rebound this spring slashing .321/.457/.750 with three long balls and three doubles. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: Rostered

FIRST BASE

C.J. Cron, Rockies: Cron went from fantasy afterthought following a 2020 campaign where he was limited by injury to 13 games to a hot commodity after signing with the Rockies in February. His greatest asset – power – will obviously play up at Coors Field, giving the veteran 30-plus homer potential. Cron appears to have secured an everyday role as the Rockies' first baseman with a strong spring that has included four homers and a .356 batting average. 12-team Mixed: $10; 15-team Mixed: $15; 12-team NL: Rostered

SECOND BASE

Jon Berti, Marlins: Berti could be listed here under any number of positions as he's expected to fill a super-utility role in both the infield and outfield. That should allow the 31-year-old to pick up a generous amount of playing time despite not having an everyday role at any particular spot. Berti has stolen 27 bases in 32 attempts across 116 MLB games, which highlights the reason he appears on this list. Speed is more valuable than ever in the fantasy realm these days, and Berti has it in abundance ranking in the 97th percentile league-wide in sprint speed. He has been perhaps the Marlins' best offensive weapon this spring batting .435 with four steals and a 9:7 BB:K. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $6; 12-team NL: $9

Jazz Chisholm, Marlins: One of the reasons why Berti doesn't have an everyday job is the presence of Chisholm, whom Miami remains very enthusiastic about. The 23-year-old appears to have won the team's second-base battle with a strong spring in which he's clubbed three homers and stolen four bases while batting .263 across 38 at-bats. Chisholm struggled in his major-league debut last season but has the tools to supply fantasy teams with both power and speed, although he may be a detriment when it comes to batting average. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $6; 12-team NL: $9

Josh Rojas, Diamondbacks: Rojas hasn't done much with his first two big-league opportunities, combining to hit .206 across 199 at-bats. He's a .288 career hitter in the minors and Arizona appears willing to give him a shot to earn an everyday role at second base. The 26-year-old has done his part to force the team to provide him playing time with a standout spring by slashing .338/.394/.569 with four homers and 12 RBI. Rojas was caught in his only stolen-base attempt, but does offer some theft appeal having swiped 71 bags between 2018 and 2019 in the minors. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

THIRD BASE

Travis Shaw, Brewers: Three seasons ago, Shaw put together his second straight season of 30-plus homers and ranked among the league's top power-hitting third baseman. The veteran has since fallen on hard times, combining to bat a paltry.191 with only 13 long balls over the past two campaigns. There was some doubt Shaw would even have a big-league roster spot this season, but he now appears slated for regular at-bats at third base in his return to Milwaukee. There's no guarantee he can turn back the clock, but the 30-year-old may be worth a gamble as a cheap source of power. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $3

SHORTSTOP

Nick Ahmed, Diamondbacks: Ahmed is far from an exciting fantasy selection at the loaded shortstop position, but he has steadily improved as a hitter over the course of his big-league career and offers enough to be worth a roster spot in most leagues. The 31-year-old posted the highest batting average (.266) of his career last season while adding five homers and four stolen bases. His strikeout numbers are generally tolerable, helping to hold up a reasonable BA floor. Finally, Ahmed has appeared in over 95 percent of Arizona's games the past three seasons, giving him added appeal for those who value durability. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team NL: $6

Kevin Newman, Pirates: Newman is another player where it may be best to simply erase the memory of the disjointed 2020 campaign. The infielder struggled to a .224/.281/.276 slash line last season – a far cry from the .308/.353/.446 line he posted in 2019. Newman also hit 12 homers and swiped 16 bases that season, making him a steal for those who plucked him off the waiver wire. The 27-year-old may never hit double-digit homers in a campaign again, but he rarely strikes out and has generally been good for double-digit thefts throughout his professional career. He has looked really good this spring by collecting 20 hits in 28 at-bats without a single strikeout. 12-team Mixed: $1, 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $4

Miguel Rojas, Marlins: Rojas emerged as a fantasy find last season slashing .304/.392/.496 to go along with four home runs and five stolen bases. He also posted the highest walk rate (11.3 percent) of his career and continued to display excellent bat-to-ball skills. The veteran doesn't hit for much power, but his batting-average floor is relatively safe, and he has shown the ability to swipe a bag every now and then despite not exactly being fleet of foot. Rojas's playing time is relatively secure as the Marlins' everyday shortstop. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team NL: $6

OUTFIELD

Jackie Bradley, Brewers: After eight seasons in Boston, Bradley signed with Milwaukee in early March and should get an opportunity for semi-regular playing time in the outfield. The 30-year-old has never been a batting-average asset (though he did bat a career-best .283 last season), but he has consistently mixed just enough homers and stolen bases to be worth rostering in most fantasy formats. Bradley has managed wrist soreness for much of the spring, but he appears to be on track for Opening Day. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team NL: $5

Garrett Hampson, Rockies: Hampson could see more action in center field this season after logging much of his time at second base over his first three big-league campaigns. That versatility should help him continue to log consistent playing time after a disappointing .234/.287/.383 slash line last season. Despite his home park, Hampson shouldn't be expected to hit for substantial power so fantasy managers eyeing him are likely doing so for his 99th percentile sprint speed. He has put his stolen-base ability on display this spring by swiping six bags in six attempts. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $6; 12-team NL: Rostered

Tim Locastro, Diamondbacks: Locastro enjoyed an understated 2020 campaign by posting a career-best .859 OPS across 82 plate appearances while walking at a 10.4 percent clip. There's almost no power in his bat, but the 28-year-old has a knack for reaching base (often via hit-by-pitch) and boasts the majors' fastest sprint speed at 30.7 ft/s. He has yet to be caught stealing in 26 big-league theft attempts, offering a glimpse at what he could offer fantasy teams if ever allowed to run wild. That chance may come - at least temporarily - at the start of the campaign as Locastro could start in right field until Kole Calhoun (knee) is ready to return to action. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $3

Tyler O'Neill, Cardinals: O'Neill's power has helped him appear on plenty of fantasy watch lists in the past, but the slugger has yet to fully put things together at the big-league level. He cratered out during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, hitting a paltry .173 across 139 at-bats. It wasn't as bad as it seems – O'Neill was stung by a ridiculously low .189 BABIP and managed the lowest strikeout rate (27.4 percent) of his career. He has rebounded with a .372/.400/581 slash line this spring and looks to have an everyday spot in left field, providing renewed optimism he can mash his way into a fantasy star. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $8

Bryan Reynolds, Pirates: After a spectacular rookie season where he batted .314 and swatted 16 home runs, Reynolds looked like a completely different player in 2020 finishing with a .189/.275/.357 slash line and 27.5 strikeout percentage. The power increased – Reynolds slugged seven homers and upped his AB/HR to 26.4 – but there's not much desire in fantasy for a so-so home-run hitter who hits below the Mendoza line. However, the 26-year-old is being given another shot at an everyday role this season and has looked solid so far this spring by hitting .317 with three homers, nine RBI and two stolen bases. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $3; 12-team NL: $5